2017 Now finished: AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA, La Giuva. Veneto, Italy

Valpolicella sprawls east and north-east of Verona. Great wine can be made from hillside vineyards; more ordinary fare from the flat areas.
La Giuva is a 10 hectare estate in the Val Squaranto, in the east of the region (not the more famous ‘Classico’ area).

70% Corvina/Corvinone, 25% Rondinella, 5% Croatina; air-dried for 80 days before maturation in new oak barrels for 2 years.

From the website of their UK agent:
“The estate was founded in 2011 by Alberto Malesani, famous in Italy as a former manager of both Fiorentina and Parma football teams. His passion and intelligence is now channelled into this estate, where he is helped by consultant winemaker Lorenzo Caramazza, formerly of Cantina Valpantena.
The name La Giuva is an acronym of his daughters’ initials, Giulia and Valentina, who are also involved in the business.”

Young of course, but this is already decadently rich and open.